There are serious concerns over the state of the Bellerive Oval pitch. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones Source: The Mercury

BELLERIVE Oval's $440,000 surface upgrade is under fire following claims the Hobart pitch is a "shocker" and may not be up to standard for the first Test between Australia and Sri Lanka.

News Limited can reveal Australian cricket powerbrokers have privately discussed the state of the revamped Bellerive deck after a slew of low domestic scores in Sheffield Shield clashes this summer.

It was speculated recently that the first Test, starting Friday, could be moved to another venue, but Cricket Tasmania boss David Johnson last night scuppered rumours Bellerive was ever in danger of losing hosting rights.

The Tasmanian wicket and outfield was re-laid in August, with groundsmen forced to dig an extra 5cm, to a 10cm depth, after discovering issues with soil and worn grass beneath the pitch surface.

Since the overhaul, batsmen have complained of an uneven playing surface and erratic bounce. In 10 Shield innings on the new deck, five have produced scores under 150, including Western Australia being routed for 67 a fortnight ago.

Last summer, the Bellerive strip for the second Test between Australia and New Zealand was so green it was dubbed 'The Incredible Hulk'. The Black Caps subsequently pulled off a stunning seven-run victory despite being rolled for 150 in their first innings.

The Queensland Bulls played at Bellerive on November 9 and raised eyebrows at the quality of the pitch despite routing Tasmania for 95 and 142 to win by an innings inside two-and-a-half days.

"It's a shocker," a Queensland insider said. "We went down there and from the reports, the players said it looked funny from the start."

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson said he hoped the new-look pitch would not tarnish the series opener against Sri Lanka.

"I haven't played on it since it's been as green as what I hear it is," he said.

"I haven't heard great things about the pitch and how difficult it is for the batsman anyway, I guess for me it's handy to be an all-rounder because at least it might help me with the newer ball.

"The feedback is it's a lot of hard work for the batters, the ball is consistently moving around and I've been told it's been a bit up-and-down.

"The groundsman is apparently doing his absolute best to get the wicket very competitive and hopefully he will bring it all together for the Test match."

Johnson said there were initial teething problems but insists the new Bellerive deck is up to Test standard.

"The pitch played unevenly early and we had some problems, there were some undulations in the pitch which we've had to rectify," he said.

"We were confident we always had a right to host the Test. Obviously when you relay a pitch there is some uncertainty with what's going on but in general terms the pitch will get better and better as the season goes on.

"In the last game against WA where they were dismissed for 67, I spoke to (coach) Justin Langer and he said it wasn't the pitch, they just batted poorly.

"The curator has a good handle on it. I am confident it will be a good Test pitch, there will be a bit of life early and we expect it settle down as the match goes along."

Australian opener Ed Cowan inspected the pitch yesterday and said: "We are used to playing on pretty juicy wickets but having seen the wicket out there it seems like it's in pretty good nick.

"Every time it comes back from the football season, it's always going to be a slow start to the summer."

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